“Late Show” host Stephen Colbert tore into his future former employer on Monday night as he accused CBS of caving to Federal Communications Commission threats by spiking his interview with Texas state Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico (D).
“He was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers ― who called us directly ― that we could not have him on the broadcast,” Colbert said.
Colbert’s audience booed the news.
“Then I was told, in some uncertain terms, that not only could I not have him on, I could not mention me not having him on,” Colbert added. “And because my network clearly doesn’t want us to talk about this, let’s talk about this.”
Colbert recapped how FCC Chair Brendan Carr is threatening to enforce equal time regulations for TV talk shows, which have long been exempt.
“Well, sir, you’re chairman of the FCC,” Colbert said. “So, FCC you!”
If the FCC moves forward with the plan, TV talk shows would not be allowed to interview political candidates unless they offer equal time to every candidate in the same race.
Carr’s proposal, Colbert noted, does not apply to right-wing talk radio, despite the fact that the FCC also regulates radio.
“Let’s just call this what it is: Donald Trump’s administration wants to silence anyone who says anything bad about Trump on TV because all Trump does is watch TV,” Colbert said. “He’s like a toddler with too much screen time. He gets cranky and then drops a load in his diapers.”
Then, Colbert directed his ire toward CBS.
“Now, as I said, at this point, he’s just released a letter that says he’s thinking about doing away with the exception for late night,” Colbert said. “He hasn’t done away with it yet, but my network is unilaterally enforcing it as if he had … but I want to assure you, this decision is for purely financial reasons.”
That was a not-so-veiled reference to Colbert’s own pending departure from the network, which canceled his show last summer ― just as Trump has long demanded ― and claimed the move was “purely a financial decision.”
However that announcement came as then-parent company Paramount was attempting to complete a merger that required approval from the very same FCC that Carr chairs.
The merger was approved just one week later.
Colbert’s final show is currently set for May 21.
Colbert did ultimately interview Talarico on Monday and posted the conversation on his YouTube channel. Colbert said CBS would not allow him to mention the URL of that channel or provide a QR code on-screen with a direct link.
That interview is here, and Colbert’s full takedown of Carr and CBS is below:
